Burton Woods

The woods south of Chester are proper woodland - the sort of place where you can actually lose the sound of traffic within five minutes of parking up. Burton Woods delivers on that front. It's a decent stretch of mixed forest with footpaths threading through, nothing manicured, nothing trying too hard to be something it isn't.

You're looking at a straightforward walk through beech and oak, with enough variation in the terrain to keep it interesting without being knackering. The paths are well-trodden but not overcrowded, which speaks volumes about how many people bother to venture this far from Chester town centre. It's the sort of place where you'll spot woodland birds and the occasional deer if you're lucky - and quiet enough that you might actually notice them.

Walkers will get the most from this - it's a proper leg-stretcher if you've got a couple of hours spare. Families with younger kids might find it a touch limited after the first loop; there's no café, no visitor facilities, just trees and paths. But if you're camping at Chester Fairoaks and fancy breaking up a stay with some actual woodland rather than park grass, this works a treat. It's only 5.9 miles away, so no great pilgrimage required.

Bring decent boots if it's been wet - the ground holds water. Spring and autumn are your best bets for visibility and comfort. Don't expect views or follies or anything Instagram-ready. Just proper, functional woodland doing what woodlands do.